Crop

The federal government predicts Minnesota farmers will produce 1.34 billion bushels of corn this year, up 40 million bushels from last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s production outlook for Minnesota also predicts corn yields averaging 168 bushels per acre, up eight bushels from 2013.

Minnesota farmers have been able to make gains planting corn, despite continued wet and cool weather. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 20 percent of Minnesota’s corn crop was planted last week.

Sunday’s beautiful weather is a relief to most of us, but one particular group is really grateful. Farms are finally buzzing with activity after a long cold winter and wet spring, which was a terrible combination for farmers. So, planting is way behind in many parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

This week’s snow has added to an already wet crop, and that means a lot of farmers will rely on grain dryers to dry out their corn. “You can’t dry it, you can’t combine it, and you can’t get it done,” said Peter Leuer of Leuer Farms.

It has been a challenging year for Minnesota farmers. Many got their crops in late, dealt with dry conditions in August, and are now working in wet fields this fall. You may remember that some parts of the state got more than a foot of snow in early May, which is prime planting time for farmers.

Some Upper Midwest farmers are worried they won’t qualify for crop insurance on land they couldn’t plant because it was too wet. At issue is a rule affecting whether farmers qualify for “prevented planting” payments for cropland that’s too wet or dry to plant.

The summer fair season has arrived and in the next few weeks, children from around state will bring their livestock to 4-H competitions. Last year, there was concern that the dry weather would have an impact on the size and turnout of livestock during this year’s fair season.

The recent storms that have hit much of the state, didn’t just impact homeowners and businesses. Farmers south and west of the Twin Cities have experienced extensive flood and hail damage. Now, some corn and soybean fields won’t bounce back.

A lawsuit challenging the University of Minnesota’s exclusive licensing deal for its hot-selling SweeTango apple is ending with a victory for the school and the cooperative that markets the new variety nationwide, although more producers will be able to grow the apple, representatives for both sides told The Associated Press on Monday.